Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes has begun discussions on plans for Mercer County government’s $71 million share of President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan (ARP), part of the federal COVID-19 relief package the President recently signed into law. While the county is awaiting additional information on exactly how the funds may be used, Hughes is forming his internal Mercer County Road to Recovery Committee that will later bring together key stakeholders in a public-private partnership to decide how best to use the influx of stimulus money.

“The pandemic has affected nearly every aspect of life, and the ambitious plan seeks economic recovery for schools, housing, healthcare, businesses, infrastructure and more,” said Hughes. “By bringing together leaders from our municipalities and communities, my vision is to ensure we are working cooperatively on how best to deploy the funds, and that they will be lawfully, efficiently and equitably allocated.”

Hughes’ public-private Road to Recovery partnership will recommend investments, track results, pursue opportunities and look for ways to multiply those investments and prevent overlap.

“As the vaccine becomes more plentiful and we get more shots into the arms of our residents, I believe we will ease closer to normalcy,” said Hughes. “In tandem, as we learn more about the federal guidelines, we vow to adhere to the letter of the law while best serving the people of Mercer County.”